Public Health in the Rockies 2026

As first year medical students interested in medical student well-being, we initiated a literature review on well-being initiatives by medical training institutions. Our review revealed that while wellness interventions such as mindfulness, reflection, and compassion-based curricula have been well received and shown variable benefits in reducing stress and burnout, their effectiveness is limited when programs are isolated from curriculum or fail to address structural stressors. Outcome measures remain inconsistent and students from underrepresented backgrounds face additional burdens that are largely unacknowledged, with few interventions using culturally responsive approaches or disaggregating outcomes by identity.

Motivated by these findings, we created and implemented an event called “Flourishing Fest,” a novel initiative grounded in the KNN Framework for Flourishing. Flourishing Fest took place over two-weeks and was designed to mitigate identified barriers to flourishing. The student-led, self-guided activities were chosen to promote connection, physical activity, playfulness, presence, and renewal. Students participated via bingo format that encouraged exploration and personal choice in selecting activities aligned with individual needs and preferences. Using an anonymous post-event survey with validated Likert-scale questions, we assessed multiple dimensions of flourishing. Survey results and qualitative feedback demonstrated students’ appreciation for the impact on connection, physical activity, mindfulness, and its contribution to an institutional culture that supports flourishing.

We have adapted the Flourishing Fest bingo card for subsequent events as well as for a KNN Student Conference. For PHiR, we have created a collaborative design activity. Small groups would identify barriers to flourishing within their own organizations and design their own Flourishing Fest bingo card tailored to their organizational context including implementation planning. Bingo cards would be displayed and there would be a gallery walk for participants provide feedback to each other. Facilitators will highlight common themes, celebrate innovative approaches, and reinforce the framework of inclusive inquiry, implementation, evaluation, and iteration.